Apparatus for the inhalation of medicinal agents

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the inhalation of medicinal agent is disclosed which comprises forming an aerosol, containing the medicinal agent, within a venturi tube-shaped interior configuration. The apparatus comprises a housing for receiving incoming air and combining the same with a medicinal agent passed from a container supported on the housing. The housing has a converging air inlet chamber in communication with an adjacent constriction. The constriction, in turn, communicates with an aerosol delivery section via a diverging diffuser chamber. The diffuser chamber may be part of the housing and the delivery section, which section provides for oral or nasal application may be attached thereto. In the alternative, the diffuser chamber and aerosol delivery section may comprise a single section integrally formed with the housing. The diffuser chamber, constriction and air inlet chamber cooperate to define the venturi tube-shaped configuration. Medicinal agent from the container enters the housing interior proximate the constriction, thoroughly combines with incoming air to form an aerosol, and exhausts through the aerosol delivery section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for the inhalation of medicinalagents or drugs present in pulverulent or liquid form.

The administration of pulverulent or liquid medicinal agents byinhalation for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, forexample, bronchial asthma and rhinitis, is well known.

These medicinal agents can be administered by atomizing them with theaid of compressed air, hot steam, or a propellant gas to form a liquidor solid aerosol, and then inhaling the aerosol. This mode ofadministration, however, has the disadvantage that a predominant portionof the medicinal agent does not enter the respiratory tract.Consequently, an accurate dosing of the medicinal agent is impossible.Moreover, this mode of administration has the disadvantage that aconsiderable proportion of the drug enters the gastrointestinal tractand is absorbed therein, which can then cause undesired side effects.Moreover, when using propellant gases, the patient is subjected to theeffects of the inhalation of an extraneous foreign substance.

In order to avoid this deficiency, devices have been developed for theinhalation of pulverulent medicinal agents in which the pulverulentdrugs are atomized by the patient inhaling air through the devicecontaining the drug. See, for example, Belgian Pat. No. 804,645 and U.S.Pat. No. 3,795,244.

These conventional devices possess movable, in most cases,propeller-type parts driven by the inhaled air, which effect anatomization of the pulverulent medicinal agents. The objective ofconducting the pulverulent drug into the respiratory tract can beextensively attained by the use of these devices. Yet, theseconventional instruments have several disadvantages.

First, since a considerable proportion of the inhaled air serves to setin motion the atomizing device, the patient must inhale very vigorously,which often causes considerable discomfort for the patient.

Second, adherence of a portion of the powdery drug to the movable partsof the device during inhalation is unavoidable, so that an accuratedosing of the drug is difficult.

Third, the manufacture of such devices with movable components rendersthem relatively expensive to the large number of people suffering fromrespiratory diseases.

Finally, such conventional devices have the disadvantage that only suchpulverulent drugs can be used therein which are in perforated capsules,and proper dispensing of the drug from the capsules by these devices isassured only if the drug has a particle size large enough to permit theparticles to be readily removed therefrom.

These conventional devices are thus unsuitable for dispensingpulverulent micronized or liquid medicinal agents.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispensing device whichdoes not have these disadvantages.

Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, furtherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The medicinal agent aerosol metering devices of this invention comprisean open-ended housing which defines a venturi tube-shaped interiorconfiguration. The housing communicates with an aerosol delivery sectionwhich may or may not be formed integral with the housing. The deliverysection may be either in the form of a mouthpiece or a nasal appliance.The housing also supports a container assembly for the medicinal agentto be dispensed. A passage in the apparatus extends from the medicinalagent supply through the container assembly and housing, and terminatesupstream of the diffuser zone defined adjacent the throat of theventuri.

The various apparatus disclosed herein and embodying this invention makepossible both the use of medicinal agents which are not encapsulated, aswell as those having a certain particle size and disposed in perforatedcapsules, and also those which are pulverulent, micronized or liquidmedicinal agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of an apparatus inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, which thecontainer removed;

FIG. 3 is a full-section view along line I-I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container removed from the apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the collecting plate employed inthe apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the collecting plate;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a first alternative embodiment of anapparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a second alternative embodiment ofan apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a container employed with theapparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a third alternative embodiment ofan apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 with the drugcontainer being removed;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a fourth alternative embodiment ofan apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view, in full section, of a fifthalternative embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view, in full section, of a sixthalternative embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view, in partial section, of a seventhalternative embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;and

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view, in full section, of an eighthalternative embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance withthis invention. Generally, the apparatus comprises a housing 1 having aventuri tube-shaped interior configuration therein. For purposes of thisdescription, the venturi tube configuration discussed herein is thusunderstood to have a shape such that air flowing therethrough hasapproximately the same flow characteristic as is inherent in a gasflowing through a venturi tube. Such a tube typically comprises an inletchamber which converges to a narrow diameter throat or restriction. Thetube also comprises an outlet chamber which diverges from therestriction to define a diffuser zone for the venturi tube.

The housing supports a container assembly 3 for the medicinal agentsupply. A dispensing passage 5 extends from the medicinal agent throughthe assembly 3 and housing 1. Passage 5 terminates in the housinginterior upstream of the diffuser zone to dispense medicinal agents intothe housing and effect optimal liberation and subsequent atomization ofthe medicinal agent for inhaling purposes.

More specifically, the housing 1 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1comprises a pair of truncated cone-shaped shells which are joinedtogether at their apices and which form an air inlet chamber 6 and adiffuser chamber 10. The chambers 6 and 10 communicate with each otherthrough a narrow throat or construction 7. Chamber 6 can have acylindrical, ellipsoidal, spherical, pear-shaped, or funnel-shaped form.Additionally, the air inlet opening of chamber 6 can comprise one ormore openings dimensioned so that the maximum cross-sectional area ofchamber 6 is about 1 to 100 times as large as the minimumcross-sectional area of the constriction 7. The chamber 6 preferably hasa maximum internal diameter two to ten times as large as the minimuminternal diameter of the construction 7.

To attain an optimum flow characteristic, the chamber 6 is suitablyshaped so that it has a funnel-like configuration converging toward theconstruction 7 from its inlet opening.

The annular or tubular constriction 7 preferably has a length of 1 mm.to 20 mm. and has an internal diameter of 1 mm. to 5 mm. at itsnarrowest point.

The aerosol exhaust or delivery section 2 is disposed adjacent thechamber 10 and comprises a truncated cone shell 11 which serves as amouthpiece and which is beveled on both its top and bottom surface 12 sothat a quasi-rectangular or elliptical mouth opening is formed. Thisshaped of opening causes the user of the apparatus to unconsciously pushhis tongue underneath the exhaust section 2 to ensure optimalinhalation.

Alternatively, an aerosol exhaust section 62 (see FIG. 10) may beemployed for nasal inhalation. Here, an upwardly bent applicator tube 68is attached at one end to the diffuser chamber of the housing it is usedwith. The other end of the tube 68 carries a cap portion 69 having ashape suitable for nasal application. The cap may be a removable member,if desired.

The container assembly 3, for receiving and storing the medicinal agent,can be provided with a dose dispenser. The assembly 3 can be disposed onthe housing 1 so that the dispensing passage 5, which terminates in thehousing interior upstream of the diffuser zone, will extend directlythrough the assembly 3 and to the drug supply.

With this container assembly 3, it is possible to utilize a number ofdifferent types of containers 14 provided with dose dispensers, if theassembly 3 is provided with a container holder 13 which is fixedlymounted to the housing 1 and through which the aforementioned dispensingpassage 5 extends. The configuration of the components cooperating toform the container assembly 3, e.g. container holder 13, drug container14, and the dose dispenser, is dependent inter alia on whetherpulverulent or liquid drugs are to be administered with the aid of theapparatus of this invention.

A container assembly 3 for pulverulent medicinal agents can have thefollowing structure. A drug container 14 is employed which is acylindrical member having 2 to 24 cylindrical or conical bores 15. Thesebores 15 are disposed, preferably together with a blank zone, at equalradii from and symmetrically about the center of the cylinder. Each boreserves as a dose dispensing chamber. These chambers 15 each have anexactly defined content selected so that deired individual doses of thedrug can be dispensed thereby. The container 14 can, if desired, beprovided with a concentrically disposed cover disk 17 arranged thereon.Cover disk 17 has an opening 19 which makes it possible to dispense onedrug dose at a time by providing that this opening 19 is arranged at thesame distance from the center of the cover disk 17 as the bores 15 arefrom the center of the container 14. When using this container 14 andcover disk 17, the container holder 13 is provided with a cylindricalcavity 16 in which the container 14 and cover disk 17 are inserted andconcentrically oriented with a depending flange 14a on the container atleast partially encircling the disk. The cover disk 17 and the containerholder 13 are provided with auxiliary locking means so that the coverdisk 17 can be locked in place within the cavity 16. For example, a bore21, disposed in the bottom of cavity 16 in diametric opposition topassage 5, will serve to receive an anchoring pin 22 for the disk 17.Passage 5 extends through the container holder 13 into the interior ofthe housing 1. The passage is disposed in the holder at the samedistance from the center of the cavity 16 as the bores 15 are disposedfrom the center of the container 14. Thus, during the rotation of thedrug container 14, dispensing of one drug dose at a time is possible.

By advancing the dosage chambers of the drug container 14, respectively,one of the dosage chambers 15 may then be located above the passage 5 inthe container holder 13, while the remaining dosage chambers 15 arecovered by the container holder 13, and by a cover plate 17 if one isemployed. A collecting plate 20, shown specifically in FIGS. 5 and 6,may be disposed in the constriction 7 and underneath the dose dispensingpassage 5, the plate 20 being so shaped that the drug exiting from thepassage 5 is held on the collecting plate 20 even if the apparatus isheld at an angle and is already subjected during inhalation, to apreliminary turbulence on this collecting plate, prior to the subsequentturbulence to which the drug is exposed in the diffuser zone. For thispurpose, the collecting plate has a trough-like indentation in thelongitudinal direction of the plate and has a front edge extending pastthe surface of the plate, forming an angle of 30° to 120° with theunderside of the plate.

The described apparatus serves to administer a defined number ofindividual doses of a pulverulent medicinal agent. After the individualdoses have been administered, the emptied container 14 is replaced by anew, drug-filled container. By such apparatus, it is possible toadminister drugs, the use of which would be risky without exact controlof the administered quantity.

If it is desired to utilize the apparatus of this invention for theadministration of a larger number of individual doses of a pulverulentmedicinal agent than is possible with a single drug container 14, then alarger drug container in the shape of a bottle or can may be used. FIG.7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention employing sucha large container.

A housing 1, aerosol exhaust section 2 and the collecting plate 20 areemployed and are the same components with the same configuration andsize as the corresponding components of the apparatus described inExample 1.

A drug container assembly 41 is provided which includes a container 44having a dispensing device. The assembly comprises a drug container 44;a rod 26 provided with an agitator 24, and a handwheel 25; a dosedispensing plate 47, a cover 48; and a container holder 43.

A can-shaped drug container 44 may be employed which can be mounted tothe container holder 43 which, in turn, is attached to the housing 1.Container 44 is sealed off on its underside by cover 48 having anopening 49 remote from the center of the cover. A movable rod 26extending through the center of the drug container 44, and provided witha handwheel 25 and an agitator 24, is fixedly attached to a notable dosedispensing disk 47 concentrically disposed underneath the cover 48. Thedose dispensing disk 47 has 1-20 dose dispensing chambers 45 spaced fromthe center of the disk 47 by the same distance as the distance of theopening 49 of the cover plate 48 from the center thereof.

The container holder 43 has a disk-shaped upper surface 50 with a diskdispensing passage 5 disposed therein at the same distance from thecenter of the upper surface 50 as the dose dispensing chambers 45 arefrom the center of the dose dispensing disk 47. The container holder 43and/or the drug container 44 additionally comprise the customary annularor other locating means which make it possible to place the drugcontainer 44 onto the container holder 43 so that the dose dispensingdisk 47 likes concentrically on the disk-shaped surface 50 of the holder43 and so that the opening 5 of the holder and the aperture 49 of thecover are mutually offset.

By rotating the handwheel 25 and thus rotating the dose dispensing disk47, one dose dispensing chamber 45 at a time can pass over the passage 5in the container holder 43 and underneath the cover 48, while theremaining dose dispensing chambers 45 are closed off by the containerholder 43.

Another possible embodiment of the apparatus described above can be asfollows, for example:

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment, described morefully in Example 4, where a support 70 disposed on a housing 61 has adisk-shaped top surface. A pin 71 is mounted to the center of the topsurface. A dispensing passage 72 which extends from the housing interiorthrough the housing 61 and support 70, terminates in the top surfacedisplaced from the pin 71. A dose dispensing disk 73 is rotatably,centrally disposed on the pin 71. Disk 73 is provided with 1-20 boresdefining disk dispensing chambers 75 disposed the same distance from thecenter of the disk 73 as the passage 72 is from the center of thedisk-shaped top surface of the support 70. The dose dispensing disk 73is provided with a holding ring on which a can-shaped drug container 64can be placed. A cover 78 is rigidly attached to the pin 71. Cover 78 isof such a configuration that it covers a disk dispensing chamber 75disposed above the passage 72 with respect to the content of the drugcontainer 64.

All the aforedescribed devices can be provided with the customaryauxiliary means acting so that the container assembly or the dosedispensing plate, during turning, are locked in position each time adose dispensing chamber is disposed above the passage 5.

Apparatus embodying this invention and intended to dispense a liquidmedicinal agent is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Such apparatus includes ahousing 1, having an aerosol exhaust section 2. The housing 1 andaerosol exhaust section 2 have the same configuration and size as thecorresponding elements of the apparatus described in Example 1. Housing1 is connected with a liquid container holder 53 which includes acylindrical cavity 54, serving as a dose dispensing chamber. Holder 53supports a tubular dispensing member 55 which extends into the cavity54. By means of a conventional mounting element, a bottle-shaped drugcontainer 56 formed of an elastic material can be placed on the holder53. This drug container 56 is sealed by a plug 27 through which a tube28 extends, when the container 56 is attached into the cavity 54 of theholder 53.

In another group of related embodiments, the container housing for themedicinal agent can be open on both sides and can be arranged so thatthe dispensing opening for the container terminates directly in front ofthe diffuser zone of a housing having a venturi-shaped interiorconfiguration. The container can be tubular, funnel-shaped, conical, orpear-shaped and is provided at two ends with one or more openings. Thecontainer can also be provided internally with webs, knobs, or bulges,which are advantageous particularly if the apparatus is to serve forusing medicinal agents housed in capsules. One such embodiment, shown inFIG. 13, comprises a unitary structure including a container 83 formedicinal agent which is interposed between an air inlet chamber 86 anda construction 87 with which container 83 is in direction communication.An aerosol exhaust section 82 is also provided.

If this container 83 contains encapsulated drugs, then it will have aninternal diameter 1.0 - 2.0 times as large as the capsule diameter and alength which is 0.6 - 1.2 times as large as the length of the capsule tobe introduced therein. Two other such embodiments are shown in FIGS. 14and 15. In each of those embodiments, the housing supports a funnel-likecontainer for receiving the drugs. The container is provided with acapillary-type outlet having an opening which terminates in orimmediately upstream of the housing's constriction. The capillary-typeoutlet of this container suitably has an inside opening of 0.1 mm. to 2mm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, outlet 95 can extend in astraight line, wherein the funnel 93 (suitably provided with a tubularextension) is arranged in the center of the chamber 96 of housing 91 andis joined therewith by means of webs 99.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the capillary-type outlet 85 can becurved, and the funnel 83 can be attached laterally to the wall ofchamber 86 so that it extends thereinto from the outside.

Both containers 83 and 93 are suitably dimensioned so that they aresuitable for receiving either a drug capsule or 1 mg. to 1000 mg. ofpulverulent or liquid medicinal agent.

The material of which the apparatus in FIGS. 13-15 is manufactured is ofno importance for the mode of operation of the apparatus. The latter canbe made of glass, a ceramic material, a synthetic resin, or a metal. Toensure simple manufacture of the apparatus, it is advantageous to makethe apparatus of a readily processable plastic.

In order to make it possible for the patient to control the inhalingprocess, it is suitable to make the apparatus of a transparent,optionally slightly colored synthetic resin.

To avoid electrostatic charging of the apparatus, the housing canoptionally be provided with a conductive coating, or it can be made of asynthetic resin mixed with a conductive implant.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the apparatus of thisinvention can additionally be equipped with auxiliary means which, ifnecessary, facilitate the use of the apparatus. Thus, auxiliary devicescan, for example, be connected to the air inlet chamber 6 of thehousing, making it possible to effect an inhalation with the aid ofcompressed air, a propellant gas, or hot steam. On the other hand, theapparatus can also be additionally equipped with needle-shaped orblade-like components arranged so that they perforate a drug capsuleintroduced into the apparatus.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention toits fullest extent. The following examples, which describe specificapparatus embodying the invention disclosed herein, are, therefore, tobe construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainderof the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLE I

This apparatus, as seen in FIGS. 1-6, comprises a housing 1 having aventuri tube-shaped interior configuration. The apparatus also comprisesa container holder 13, a collecting plate 20, a cover disk 17, and adrug container 14, each of which are manufactured of a thermoplastic,transparent, light-green synthetic resin.

The housing 1 forms the air inlet chamber 6 and the diffusion chamber11. Between chambers 6 and 11 is a constriction 7 having an internaldiameter of 4 mm. The apparatus also includes an aerosol deliverysection 2 in the form of a truncated cone 11 bounded on the topside andunderside by cover plates 12 so that a quasi-rectangular mouth openingis formed having a height of 6 mm. and a length of about 20 mm. Awedge-shaped collecting plate 20, having a thickness of 2 mm. and alength of 17 mm., is horizontally disposed within the housing so thatthe plate extends 12 mm. into the chamber 6 and terminates flush withthe sidewalls thereof. This collecting plate has a front edge beveledtoward its bottom surface and a groove on its top surface.

The container holder 13 is disposed over the chamber 6 so that itsbottom surface contacts the top half of the chamber 6 flush. The top ofholder 13 is a cylindrical cavity 16 having an annular rim. A passage 5,having a diameter of 3.5 mm., is provided in the holder 13. The centerof passage 5 is positioned 6 mm. from the center of the cylindricalcavity 16. Passage 5 extends through the container holder 13 into thechamber 6 and terminates directly at the constriction 7.

The container 14, for the medicinal agent, is cylindrical in shape. Ithas an annular rim with a knurled side edge. It also has a cylindricalrecess on its bottom surface (See FIG. 3). Five conical bores 15 aredisposed in the recess, offset from one another by 60° and beingdisposed 6 mm. from the center of the recess. These bores, which servedosage as dosage chambers, have a height of 8 mm. and their bottomopenings have a diameter of 3.5 mm.

A cover disk 17 is loosely inserted in the recess of the container. Thisdisk has an opening 19 with a diameter of 3.5 mm. disposed at a distanceof 6 mm. from the center of the disk 17. This disk 17 supports ananchoring pin 22 remote from the disk's opening.

To operate this device, the container 14, provided with the cover disk17 and filled in each of the conical bores with 20 mm³ of a pulverulentdrug, is inserted in the container holder 13 so that the holding pin 22of the cover disk 17 locks in the bore 21. By rotating the container 14in 60° intervals, from one chamber 15 to the next, with each suchrotation, 20 mm³ of medicinal agent is liberated and can be inhaled.

EXAMPLE 2

The apparatus depicted in FIG. 7, as noted previously, comprises ahousing 1, having a venturi tube-shaped interior configuration andequipped with an aerosol exhaust section 2, and a collecting plate 20.The apparatus also comprises a container assembly 41 provided with adispenser device 42. All the components are manufactured ofpolycarbonate.

The container holder 43 of this device differs from the one described inExample 1 in that the holder's cylindrical disk surface has an annularrecess and central bore 23 instead of an annular rim and an offset bore21.

The drug container 44 of the container assembly 41 is a hollow cylinderclosed off at the top and provided with a cover 48 for its bottomsurface. The cover 48 is mounted in the drug container 44 so that thecontainer has a 6 mm. high vertical rim extending below the cover 48. Acentral aperture is provided in cover 48. The rod 26 extends through thetop surface and interior of container 41 and through the aperture incover 48. Rod 26 supports handwheel 25 above the container and helicallytwisted agitator 24 within the container. At a distance of 6 mm. fromthe center of the cover, the latter has an opening 49 with a diameter of3.5 mm. In close proximity, underneath the cover 48, the rod 26 supportsdose dispensing disk 47 having a thickness of 2.6 mm. This dosedispensing disk has two dose dispensing chambers 45 each having adiameter of 3.5 mm., diameterically disposed at a distance of 6 mm. fromthe center of the dose dispensing disk.

To operate the device, the container assembly 3, filled with apulverulent drug, is placed on the container holder 13 so that the boreof the cover 48 is aligned with the passage 5 of the container holder 43serving for dispensing purposes. By turning the handwheel in 180°intervals, advancing from one chamber 45 to the next, with each suchrotation, 25 mm³ of medicinal agent pass into the passage 5 and can beinhaled.

EXAMPLE 3

This apparatus provides for the inhalation of liquid drugs.

FIG. 8 shows a housing 1, having a venturi tube-shaped interiorconfiguration, and an aerosol exhaust section 2. A container holder 53is also provided. These components are made of polycarbonate.

The container holder 53 includes a hollow cylinder or cavity 54.Cylinder 54 has a height of 9 mm. and an internal diameter of 12 mm.This cylinder 54 is supported by a base 57 anchored to the housing 1 sothat the center of the hollow cylinder is arranged above theconstriction 7 of the housing 1. Metal tube 55, having an internaldiameter of 1 mm. is located at a distance of 4 mm. from the center ofthe hollow cylinder. This metal tube extends 3.5 mm. into the hollowcylinder. Tube 55, which also extends through the base 57 and chamber 6,is curved within the chamber 6 so that it extends through the center ofthe constriction 7 and terminates 1 mm. behind the constriction 7.

FIG. 9 shows the container 3 for the apparatus of FIG. 8. This containerconsists of the medicine bottle 56, made of polyethylene, with 10 ml.capacity. In the bottleneck of the medicine bottle 56, a plug 27 ofpolyethylene is arranged so that it projects 5 mm. past the rim of thebottle. At a distance from the center of the plug, a metal tube 28having an internal diameter of 1 mm. extends through the plug andprojects 3.5 mm. there beyond.

Above the neck of the bottle, an annular holder 29 provided with eighthook like projections is arranged. Holder 29 is made of an elasticsynthetic resin.

To use the apparatus in FIGS. 8 and 9 the housing 1 is connected withthe container 56, and the cavity 54 is filled by means of pressureapplied to the liquid filled container 56. Then, the pressure isreleased and the drug present in the cavity 54 is inhaled.

EXAMPLE 4

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises a housing 61 having aventuri tube-shaped interior configuration. The housing 61 is connectedto an aerosol exhaust device 62 for use as a nasal applicator. Housing61 supports a container assembly 63 which includes a drug container 64having a dose dispenser. All of these components are manufactured from athermoplastic, transparent synthetic resin.

The housing 61 is a tubular structure which has cone shaped air inletand diffuser chambers, 65 and 66, respectively, joined at their apicesand communicating thereat through a constriction 67. Constriction 67 hasa diameter of 2 mm. and is positioned 22 mm. downstream of the inletopening of the chamber 65. The aerosol exhaust device comprises anapplicator tube 68 attached to the housing 61, adjacent chamber 66, andbent upwardly, as can be seen from FIG. 10. The end of the applicatortube 68 is beveled and carries a detachable, conical cap 69 providedwith a perforation.

The container assembly 63 includes a disk-shaped support 70 disposed onthe housing 61, so that the central axis of the support 70 is disposed 4mm. upstream of the constriction 67. In the center of the support 70, apin 71 is mounted, projecting beyond the plate. At a distance of 6 mm.from its center, the support 70 has a passage 72, having a diameter of3.5 mm., which terminates in the diffuser chamber 66 of the housing 61.A recess 32 is disposed in the support 70 in diametric opposition topassage 72. A coil spring, with a locking pin 33 attached thereto, isdisposed in this recess. A dose dispensing disk 73 is rotatably disposedon the support 70. Dispensing disk 73 is provided with a centralaperture as well as three bores 75, which serve as dosage chambers. Allthree bores 75 have a diameter of 3.5 mm. Each bore 75 is located 6 mm.from the center and is offset with respect to the other bores by 120°.The underside of the dispensing disk 73 carries three hemisphericalindentations 74, each disposed opposite to the bores 75 and each beingat a distance of 9 mm. from the center of disk 73. The pins 33 canengage these indentations 74.

A cover 78, fixedly attached to the pin 71, is disposed adjacent to andabove the disk 73. Cover 78 closes off the bore 75, located above thepassage 72, with respect to the drug container 64.

The drug container 64 itself is a can-shaped component which can beattached to the dispensing disk 73. This embodiment permits inhaling of20 mm³ doses of a pulverulent medicine.

EXAMPLE 5

The apparatus shown in FIG. 12 consists of a housing 1, an aerosolexhaust section 2, and a collecting plate 20, all of which have the sameconfiguration as similarly numbered components described in Example 1.The remaining components of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12 have the sameconfigurations as similarly functioning components shown in FIG. 10.

EXAMPLE 6

This apparatus, shown in FIG. 13, is made of a transparent glass. It is90 mm. in length and comprises a spherical aerosol exhaust section 82,having a maximum internal diameter of 25 mm. and a circular opening witha diameter of 20 mm. A constriction 87, having an internal diameter of 5mm. is interposed in communication with and between the aerosol exhaustsection 82 and a tubular drug container 83 housing the pulverulentmedicinal agent. Container 83, with a length of 20 mm. and a minimuminternal diameter of 6 mm., has three annular bulges for holdingencapsulated drugs.

Container 83 is connected to a pear-shaped air inlet chamber 86 having alength of 40 mm. and a maximum internal diameter of 25 mm. Chamber 86 isprovided with a circular air inlet opening 85.

The above-described apparatus can also be structured so that it useseither of the aerosol exhaust sections, 2 or 62, described in Examples 1and 4, respectively.

This apparatus is preferably utilized for inhaling pulverulent medicinalagents disposed in a perforated drug capsule having a diameter of 6 mm.and a length of 18 mm. The capsules are introduced into and retainedwithin the container 83 for inhaling purposes.

EXAMPLE 7

This apparatus, shown in FIG. 14, is made of glass. The housing consistsof a funnel-shaped aerosol exhaust section 92 having a length of 25 mm.and a maximum internal diameter of 25 mm., a constriction 97 having aminimum internal diameter of 5 mm., and a funnel-shaped air inletchamber 96 having a length of 35 mm. and a maximum internal diameter of38 mm.

A second glass tube having an inside diameter of 6 mm. serves as thecontainer 93 to housing the medicinal agent. This tube extends unchangedfor 13 mm., then it narrows in the manner of a funnel and is drawn outinto a capillary 95 having an inner diameter of 1 mm. and a length of 25mm., bent by an angle of about 120°.

Container 93 is inserted in an opening of the housing and bonded theretoby melting so that the opening of the capillary is coaxially alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the constriction 97.

The above-described apparatus can also be constructed so that it has, inplace of the exhaust section 92, an exhaust section as disclosed ineither Example 1 or 4.

This apparatus is preferably used for the inhalation of pulverulent andliquid medicines present in a storage vessel equipped with meteringmeans.

EXAMPLE 8

This apparatus, manufactured of "Plexiglas", is shown in FIG. 15.

The apparatus comprises a funnel-shaped aerosol exhaust device 102having a length of 20 mm. and a maximum internal diameter of 13 mm.Exhaust device 102 is connected with in approximately tubularconstriction 107 having a length of 4 mm. and an inner diameter of 4 mm.

This constriction 107, in turn, is in communication with a pear-shapedair inlet chamber 106 having a length of 30 mm. and an inner maximumdiameter of 25 mm. At its air inlet opening, this chamber has a circularopening having a size of 23 mm., interrupted by two mutually symmetricalwebs 109 leading to the center of the opening. These webs support a drugcontainer 103, having a length of 41 mm. and an inside diameter of 6 mm.Container 103 is tubular and is disposed on the axis of symmetry of theapparatus. At its downstream end, the container has a funnel-shapedconstriction terminating in a capillary 105 having an inside diameter of1 mm., and being of sufficient length that it extends into the center ofthe constriction 107.

This apparatus is adapted for inhaling pulverulent drugs housed in aperforated capsule having a length of 18 mm. and a diameter of 6 mm.

EXAMPLE 9

This apparatus, illustrated in FIG. 16, is made of polyvinyl chloride.It comprises a tube 116 having a length of 60 mm., an external diameterof 21 mm., and an internal diameter of 19 mm. A drum-shaped component135, having a length of 25 mm. is inserted fully into and supported atone end of the tube. Component 135 is provided with a central borehaving a length of 13 mm. and a diameter of 8 mm., extending from itsinner end. A smaller central bore extends through the entire component135 and has a diameter of 4 mm. A funnel-shaped opening is disposed atthe outer end of component 135.

A drug capsule, having a diameter of 6 mm. and a length of 12 mm. isintroduced into the large bore of component 135. Then, a funnel-shapedcapsule holder 136 is inserted into the tube 116, and the arrangement isclosed at each end with one plug. Each plug carries a needle 137 havinga diameter of 2 mm. and a length such that, when the plug is insertedinto tube 116, it penetrates the capsule.

After removal of the plug, the drug present in the device can beinhaled. After use, the device is discarded.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for the inhalation of medicinal agentsin pulverulent form, comprising a housing having a venturi tube-shapedinterior configuration including a diffuser zone and provided with anaerosol exhaust section; said housing including a dispensing openinghaving a delivery end which terminates upstream of the diffuser zone ofthe venturi-like housing, a container for the medicinal agent, meansmounting said container on said housing for dispensing of the medicinalagent to said dispensing opening, and a collecting plate adjacent thedelivery end of said dispensing opening and disposed longitudinally andtransversely in close proximity to the venturi tube-shaped interiorconfiguration of the housing.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid container for the medicinal agent is provided with a dosedispensing device and is attached to the housing so that the passagefrom the dose dispensing device terminates within the housing upstreamof the diffuser zone.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidhousing has an air inlet chamber with an air inlet opening at itsupstream end, said chamber in communication at its downstream end with atubular constriction; said constriction being, in turn, in communicationwith said aerosol exhaust section.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3,wherein said air inlet chamber is a funnel-shaped member having an openupstream end from which said chamber converges inwardly.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein said container for the medicinal agent isdisposed between said air inlet chamber and said constriction, saidcontainer having a tubular shaped.
 6. The apparatus claim 5, wherein theinterior of said container includes means for retaining medicinal agenttherein.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said containerincludes a dose dispensing device and a container holder fixedly joinedto said housing.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saidcontainer for the medicinal agent is provided with 2-24 dose dispensingchambers, said container being movable mounted on said container holder.9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a dose dispensing plate ismovably mounted between said container holder and said container for themedicinal agent, said dose dispensing plate having 1-20 dose dispensingchambers.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said aerosolexhaust section has a transversely elongate opening, said sectioninitially diverging outwardly and then coverging.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the dose dispensing opening is selectivelyopened and closed by movable means adjacent the upper end thereof. 12.Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the interior housingconfiguration provides an air inlet opening at its upstream end and adownstream aerosol exhaust section communicating with the inlet openingthrough a tubular constriction transversely of which the collectingplate is mounted with its delivery end at the upstream end of theaerosol exhaust section.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein thecollecting plate is substantially triangular with the longitudinal edgesdisposed along the adjacent surfaces of the air inlet opening. 14.Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the collecting plate islongitudinally troughed.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein thedelivery end of the dose dispensing opening is at the upstream side ofthe tubular constriction.